Temecula Double Killing: Probationer Must Stand Trial For Murder

TEMECULA, CA — A probationer accused of killing a man and woman in Temecula and dumping their remains on the outskirts of Hemet must stand trial on two counts of first-degree murder and other charges, a judge ruled Monday.

David Alan Floyd, 59, of Temecula was arrested in February following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation into the deaths of Angel Ponce of Escondido and Danielle Ricker of Temecula, both 31.

At the end of a preliminary hearing Monday at the Southwest Justice Center, Superior Court Judge Timothy Freer found there was sufficient evidence to bound Floyd over for trial on the murder counts, as well as a special circumstance allegation of taking multiple lives, being a probationer in possession of a firearm, violating a domestic violence restraining order and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for Sept. 25 at the Murrieta courthouse.

Floyd is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.

The remains of Ponce and Ricker were found March 2 near the area of E. Benton and Sage roads. The area is part of the unincorporated community of Sage, a lightly populated rustic location south of Hemet.

The grim discovery was made after a search warrant was served Feb. 27 at Floyd's Temecula home in the 34000 block of Galleron Street, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reported.

Detectives obtained the warrant while investigating the disappearances of Ponce and Ricker — "evidence suggested they were deceased," according to the sheriff's department. The two were living together in Temecula.

Ponce, who was from Escondido, was reported missing by family on Feb. 18. Ricker was reported missing five days later, according to the sheriff's department.

A possible motive for the killings was not released. However, Floyd had a history with Ricker. On Feb. 8, he was found guilty of misdemeanor disturbing the peace. A charge of battery on a spouse/partner was dismissed after he agreed to enroll in a 52-week program to combat domestic violence, court records show.

The case stemmed from a Nov. 5, 2021, incident in which Ricker was the victim. Floyd was sentenced to 36 months probation — the terms included his promise he would not have any contact with Ricker. He was also ordered to pay her restitution, according to court records.

Floyd has no other criminal convictions in Riverside County, according to court records.